In the case of rectangular cross-sections, you can usually achieve a direct connection by using welds. However, you can also connect them to other cross-sections in the same way. Furthermore, other components such as end plates help you to connect the rectangular cross-sections to other structural components.
In the Steel Joint add-on, you can design the connections of members with composite cross-sections. Furthermore, you can perform joint design checks for almost all thin-walled cross-sections in the RFEM library.
In the Timber Design add-on for RFEM, you can design members as well as surfaces according to Eurocode 5, SIA 265 (Swiss standard), CSA O86 (Canadian standard), or ANSI/AWC NDS (American standard); for example, cross-laminated timber, glued-laminated timber, softwood, mass timber, and so on.
Design of a frame connection with taper and stiffened members. A stress analysis and a buckling stability analysis were carried out for the connection. To display the buckling results, the connection was converted into a separate model.
Here, the weld design becomes child's play. Using the specially developed material model "Orthotropic | Plastic | Weld (Surfaces)", you can calculate all stress components plastically. The stress τperpendicular is also considered plastically.
Using this material model you can design welds closer to reality and more efficiently.
Using the "Connecting Plate" component, you can additionally and automatically create a new gusset plate in the Steel Joints add-on. This saves you separate components, and the other elements, such as a cap plate and a slide plate, are thus automatically taken into account with their dimensions.
The program supports you: Es ermittelt Schraubenkräfte anhand des FE-Analysemodells und wertet diese automatisch aus. Das Add-On führt die Nachweise der Schraubentragfähigkeit für Versagensfälle wie Zug, Abscheren, Lochleibung und Durchstanzen gemäß Norm durch und stellt alle benötigten Beiwerte übersichtlich dar.
Möchten Sie einen Schweißnahtnachweis führen? Die Schweißnähte werden als elastisch-plastische Flächenelemente modelliert, und deren Spannungen werden aus dem FE-Analysemodell ausgelesen. Die Plastizitätskriterien sind so eingestellt, dass sie Versagen gemäß AISC J2-4, J2-5 (Tragfähigkeit von Schweißnähten) und J2-2 (Festigkeit des Grundmetalls) darstellen. Der Nachweis kann mit den Teilsicherheitsbeiwerten des ausgewählten Nationalen Anhangs von EN 1993-1-8 erfolgen.
Der Nachweis der Bleche in der Verbindung wird plastisch durchgeführt, indem die vorhandene plastische Verzerrung mit der zulässigen plastischen Verzerrung verglichen wird. Die Standardeinstellung ist 5 % gemäß EN 1993-1-5, Anhang C, kann jedoch benutzerdefiniert angepasst werden, ebenso 5 % beim AISC 360.
Numerous predefined components for easy input of typical connection situations (for example, end plates, angles, web plates)
Universally applicable basic components (plates, welds, bolts, auxiliary planes) for the input of complex connection situations
Graphical display of the connection geometry that is updated in parallel with the input
The steel connection template included in the add-on allows you to select different connection types and apply them to your model
The template provides connections from three categories: Rigid, Pinned, Truss
Automatic adjustment of the connection geometry, even during subsequent editing of the structural components, due to the relative arrangement of the components to each other
Compared to the RF‑/STEEL add-on module (RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8), the following new features have been added to the Stress-Strain Analysis add-on for RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9:
Treatment of members, surfaces, solids, welds (line welded joints between two and three surfaces with subsequent stress design)
Output of stresses, stress ratios, stress ranges, and strains
Limit stress depending on the assigned material or a user-defined input
Individual specification of the results to be calculated through freely assignable setting types
Non-modal result details with prepared formula display and additional result display on the cross-section level of members
If a weld seam connects two plates with different materials, it is possible to select from a combo box in the Steel Joints add-on which one of both materials should be used for the weld seam.
The "Member Editor" component allows you to modify the individual or several member plates in the Steel Joints add-on.
You can use the chamfer, notch, rounding, and hole operations with multiple shapes. It is possible to apply both operations, "Notch" and "Chamfer", for several member plates.
In this way, you can notch flanges from I-sections, for example (see the image).
In the Steel Joints add-on, you can determine the initial stiffness Sj,ini according to Eurocode and AISC. This can be done for selected members with reference to the internal forces N, My, and Mz.
In the Members tab of the input dialog box of the Steel Joints add-on, you can select the desired internal forces via a checkbox. Multiple selection is possible. For these internal forces, the stiffness analysis is carried out with a positive and a negative sign.
After you have completed the design, the program takes care of clearly arranged results. Thus, the program shows you the resulting maximum stresses and stress ratios sorted by section, member/surface, solid, member set, x-location, and so on. In addition to the tabular result values, the add-on shows you the corresponding cross-section graphic with stress points, stress diagram, and values as well. You can relate the design ratio to any kind of stress type. The current location is highlighted in the RFEM/RSTAB model.
In addition to the tabular evaluation, the program offers you even more. You can also graphically check the stresses and design ratios on the RFEM/RSTAB model. It is possible for you to adjust the colors and values individually.
The display of result diagrams of a member or set of members enables you a targeted evaluation. For each design location, you can open the respective dialog box to check the design-relevant section properties and stress components of any stress point. Finally, you have the option of printing the corresponding graphic, including all design details.
For timber surfaces with the "Constant" thickness type, the crack factor kcr and thus the negative influence of cracks on the shear capacity is taken into account.